The arrival of the free-to-play multiplayer game, which is created by studio Epic Games, was announced during Nintendo's keynote presentation at video game convention E3 in Los Angeles.

Launch - Fortnite - Nintendo - Console - Revelation

However, the launch of Fortnite on the latest Nintendo console has been marred by the revelation that Sony will not allow cross-platform support between its PlayStation console and the Switch.

The decision has caused outrage amongst Fornite fans.

Fornite - Players - Progress - Skins - Purchases

Fornite allows players to sync their progress, skins, and in-game purchases across different platforms using an account with developer Epic Games.

This means players can move from a home console, like an Xbox One, to a smartphone during their commute without being reset to the start of the game, or being forced to re-buy their virtual items.

Sony - Functionality - PlayStation - Players - Sign-in

However, Sony blocks this functionality for PlayStation 4 players who attempt to sign-in to the game using a Switch.

That means those who started playing the hugely-successful shooter on a PS4 – or logged in just once – will now be forced to create an entirely-new account if they want to move to the latest Nintendo console.

Block - Rules - Multiplayer - Games - PS4

The block also rules out multiplayer games between PS4 and Switch players.

'This Fortnite account is associated with a platform which does not allow it to operate on Switch,' reads the failed login message within Fortnite with a PS4-linked account.

Fortnite - Website - Developer - Epic - Customer

'Neither the Fortnite website nor (developer) Epic Customer Services are able to change this. To play Fornite on Switch, please create a new account.'

Those who have previously held an account on an Xbox One, iOS device, PC or Mac are able to port across their avatar and in-game purchases to a Nintendo Switch without a problem.

Decision - Support - Fury - Media - Industry

The decision to block cross-platform support has sparked fury on social media, with industry insiders and fans alike urging Sony to reverse the policy.